Many industrialized countries take voting for granted. Most women in the First World have luxury
concerns compared to the basic rights denied women in the Third World. Hence the jubilation over a
victory for women in Kuwait. After thirty years of persistent struggle since the independence of that
Gulf state, parliament members finally gave in. Finally, Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmed Al-Jaber Al Sabah was
able to propose and pass a desired motion which should have come much earlier than those achieved by
neighbouring Bahrain, Qatar, and Oman.

While women were active in civic groups -- in Kuwait more than elsewhere in the whole Gulf region,
conservatives fought against their political rights under the false guise of defending traditional
religion. In fact, Islam as a faith gives women a prominent role in deciding public affairs. But
societies are often pulled by their slowest boats. Kuwait, for example, was among the first Arab
countries to appoint women in key government posts and propose them internationally. The Deputy
Executive Secretary of U.N. Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia, Ms. Mariam Al-Awadi
has done an impressive task representing Kuwaiti and Arab women. Closer to home, one of the most
impressive diplomats at U.N. Headquarters is Kuwaiti Permanent Representative Ambassador Nabilah
Al-Mulla.

Incidentally, Gulf countries are not alone in not giving women their fair chance. While countries
like Sweden, Norway and Iceland rank highest in a survey by the World Economic Forum, countries like
Jordan, Pakistan, Turkey and Egypt rank at the bottom. It is strange, however, that one of the first
woman Prime Ministers was Benazir Bhutto in Pakistan and Tansu Ciller in Turkey. And we all know of
Queen Noor and now Queen Rania of Jordan.

Coming close to home, the number of female ambassadors to the U.N. has not changed much despite
rhetorical statements at ceremonial sessions. Maybe those heads of state -- some of them women --
should be bluntly reminded not just to talk the talk but to walk the walk. And they will discover
that it is not that hard.